Half term breaks

Spend the half term holidays spotting seals and puffins, hanging out with Vikings or journeying deep into mystical caves on one of these family friendly breaks.

Take a wander through magical illuminated woods on the Isle of Wight  
 

Take a break on the Isle of Wight this Half term and visit the Robin Hill Adventure Park “Electric Woods”. They will be marking the coming of the Chinese New Year with a stunning new spectacle of light, sound and colour, with a whole spectacle of Chinese themed entertainment set around the illuminated woods. As you move deeper into the park, set in a beautiful Isle of Wight valley, you will reach the woodland ponds where floating lanterns will bring magical reflections to the water and themed music will add to the ambience.

Nearest Station: Ryde Espandade
Where to Stay: Grange Farm

Things to do nearby:
• The Garlic Farm
• Owl & Monkey Haven
• Isle of Wight Steam Railway  

 

Escape to Durham’s Heritage Coast

Spend a long weekend exploring the Durham coastline rich in wildlife and beguiling sea views that stretch for miles. Pull on your walking shoes and meander along an 11-mile coastal footpath from sandy Seaham up in the north down to the rugged seaside village of Crimdon.  As you soak up the undisturbed nature that simmers all around you, the children can tackle activities sheets that you’ve downloaded from the Durham Heritage Coast website.

Nearest station: Seaham
Where to stay: Crimdon Dene Holiday Park

Things to do nearby:
•  Tweddle Children’s Animal Farm  
•  Beamish, the Living Museum of the North  
•  Beamish Wild Adventure Park

Hang out with Vikings in York

Treat the kids to a holiday filled with Vikings, cake and ghouls. Start at Jorvik Viking Centre, unravelling the colourful stories of Nordic horned warriors. You’ll unearth everything from their favourite foods to their weapons of choice in bloody battles. Next, perfect your Nordic accent over cream cakes at Bettys and then explore York’s cobbled streets by moonlight as you join a ghost tour to discover eerie secrets.

Nearest station: York
Where to stay: Premier Inn York North

Things to do nearby:
•  York Sweet Story
•  York Dungeon
•  National Railway Museum

Explore an ancient wonderland in Somerset

Journey deep into ancient caves at Cheddar Gorge, where the earliest human remains in Britain were found. The caves, coated in icicle-shaped stalactites and stalagmites, are yellow-tinged mystical wonderlands that acted as shelter for humans for thousands of years. Go on The Crystal Quest to ‘overcome the forces of darkness’, and then take a three-mile cliff-top walk that gives you unbeatable views of the luscious countryside.

Nearest station: Worle
Where to stay: The Gorge View Holiday Apartments
 
Things to do nearby:
•  Mendip Hills  
•  Weston-Super-Mare Beach
•  Exmoor Pony Centre

Ride rollercoasters in Blackpool

For a weekend of all-out fun and fooling around head to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and explore the brand new Nickelodeon Land with 12 cartoon-themed rides. Jump aboard SpongeBob’s Splash Bash to blast hovering jellyfish with on-board water cannons and join Dora the Explorer on her World Voyage. If you prefer more traditional rollercoaster rides, there’s always the iconic Big Dipper with its five daunting drops. Best save the candyfloss and ice cream for afterwards.

Nearest station: Blackpool Pleasure Beach  
Where to stay: Alumhurst Hotel

Things to do nearby:
•  Blackpool Tower  
•  Sandcastle Waterpark   
•  Blackpool Zoo

Mooch around London’s free museums

Experience an earthquake, come face to face with a woolly mammoth and be chauffeured around by a cockroach. Yep, just another day in London’s museum quarter. Check out the Natural History Museum’s majestic animal and dinosaur displays and the Science Museum’s six floors of futuristic exhibitions, complete with cockroach tour guides on the weekend. Meanwhile, aspiring Vivienne Westwoods will never want to leave the Victoria and Albert Museum. 

Nearest station: South Kensington Underground
Where to stay: Base2stay Kensington

Things to do nearby:
•  Hyde Park  
•  The Lion King
•  The Golden Hinde

Hunt for fossils in Dorset

Hunt for fossils at a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Charmouth beach is one of the best places to find ancient relics nestled along the tide line. It might take a while but if you’re persistent, stop for teabreaks, stick to a particular area and are prepared to get a little messy pouncing along on the seabed  you’re likely to unearth Fools Gold, spiral-shaped Ammonites, Crinoid fossils  and maybe even reptile teeth.
 
Nearest station: Axminster
Where to stay: Newlands Holiday Park

Things to do nearby:
•  Sea Life Centre in Weymouth
•  Monkey World  
•  Adventure Wonderland

Seal spotting in Northumberland

Jump on a boat to the Farne Islands to experience a close encounter with nesting seabirds and wave hello to adorable grey seal pups. During the summer months you can catch a glimpse of around 37,000 pairs of loved-up puffins and come autumn stop off at Staple Island to meet new born seals.

Nearest station: Almouth
Where to stay: Springhill Farm

Things to do nearby:
•  Lindisfarne Castle
•  Cragside
•  Alnwick Garden